Wild Blackberry Banter

If you were to unexpectedly drop by Peacock Prairie late in the morning, ideally this would be my reaction:

Dog barks.

I stop my writing and look up from my computer.

Someone’s here. Who could it be?

Pre-showered, in a mis-matched outfit, I peek out the window.

female baltimore oriole

Oh . . .it’s you,
beautiful you!

delphinium with hollyhocks in the background

I throw open the door. “Good morning! What a wonderful surprise! It’s so nice to see you. I was just about to have a cup of peppermint tea and a wild blackberry muffin. Would you care to join me?”

female red-winged blackbird

“You would! Wonderful!” I clear the clutter off a chair. “Make yourself at home while I run out back to pick the peppermint, and then we’ll have a nice chat.”

The above is the reaction I’d like to have . . .

delphinium

but in reality, my reaction would be more like this:

Dog barks.

I stop my writing and look up from my computer.

Oh no, someone’s here. I haven’t showered. This place is a disaster.

I peek out the window.

Yikes, it’s you.

you

With a sigh, I scramble round gathering piles of clutter. One disappears into the dishwasher, another into the dryer. (Yep)

Smoothing my hair, I open the door. “Hello! What a surprise. Won’t you come in?”

Oh shoot– you will.

sweet peas

Puffs of dog hair swirl round our ankles like tumbleweeds as we step over the vacuum. Your eyes immediately begin to wander.

Oh no you don’t. Don’t you dare look there . . .

Hastily I open the back door. “Let’s sit on the porch. The flowers are lovely this time of year.”

Get your eyes off that dust.. Look at me. LOOK AT ME.

delphinium

“Here, you take the rocker. It’s got the best view of the flowers.”

You sit and begin to rock.

I sit beside you, attempting to settle my thoughts . . .

my gaze rests on the garden . . .

Yikes! I forgot about the . . .

black-eyed susan

WEEDS!

Many.

Many.

Many WEEDS.

It’s no use. I give up.

“Those weeds,” I say, “will bloom beautifully.”

To which you politely respond,

“Yes, I’ve read about that in your blog.”

“Would you like a glass of water? I can put ice in it.”

******

Sometimes who I am and who I want to be differ. Why do I feel the need to pretend? Dog hair, dust, dishevelment– these do not define me. My spirit defines me. When I remove my focus from myself, and put it upon you, everyone wins. Why do I forget?

Ah, so despite the stunning beauty and exquisite words on your blog, you are human. Good to know, Julie, as I wade through dog hair in my midday pjs and head outside to water my weeds…I mean, garden…water my garden. 😀

GREAT post, Julie! You reveal the truth of so many of us. I had to laugh about trying to whisk visitors out to the gardens! Why do we worry about being judged? Most folks call first, giving us a chance to tidy and retain our dignity. 😉 But sometimes family (my brother and his super meticulous wife) stop by, “We were just driving by…” and I am mortified. But then I lift my chin and think, “This is the truth of who I am right now, love it or leave it!” ❤

I thought of you today (with a grin) when an acquaintance (the meticulous dresser) stopped by unexpectedly. I was all disheveled and sweaty from the garden, the house was a mess (I last vacuumed maybe 10 days ago??) Oy! I thought, ‘Well, this is who I am and how I live, it doesn’t matter what she may think, I am ME!’ 🙂

You are so precious. I appreciate this post, especially today. I have been gone for a week and I also have weeds and bunny-hair tumbleweeds. Reading your blog is more important to me than cleaning. I feel sorry for those who have nothing better to do than keep house. Viva la mess!

I think there is always a difference between the person we are, and the person we want to be. Or at least think we want to be. But the older we get, then the more the person we want to be becomes the person we actually are, I think. Great post!

How did I miss this post? My sentiments exactly. We could visit each other and not pretend….:-)
(Weeds are only weeds if they are growing where you don’t want them. I’ve been trying to practice liking them where they are..)